C2 [ S or U ] the basic or most important idea or quality of something: The essence of his argument was that education should continue throughout life. Yet change is the very essence of life. in essence C2 formal relating to the most important characteristics or ideas of something: In essence, both sides agree on the issue.

es·sence (ĕs′əns) n. 1. a. The intrinsic or indispensable quality or qualities that serve to characterize or identify something: The essence of democracy is the freedom to choose.

es•sence /ˈɛsəns/ n. the basic, unchanging nature of a thing; the substance that gives something identity:[uncountable]The essence of civilized behavior is courtesy.

ESSENCE meaning: 1 : the basic nature of a thing the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is; 2 : a substance that contains in very strong form the special qualities (such as the taste and smell) of the thing from which it is taken